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I live in a creative community that inspires me. With my family and friends, I create...memories.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie

I am not a food blogger. I have a blog to work out my thoughts about our uncommon life. Lately, I have kept those thoughts to myself! But I have had MANY requests for my Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie recipe, a riff on the yummy deliciousness available at our nearby music and vittles venue, The Family Wash.

I devised this recipe for a monthly vegan meal swap I was in through the MOMS Club of East Nashville. However, I am a dairy-holic, so I usually make this with butter, lowfat milk, and Cheddar cheese in place of Earth Balance, almond milk, and vegan cheese. I have no pictures because...I have no pictures. (But shepherd's pie is like a pan of hidden deliciousness you shouldn't photograph anyway!)

The secret ingredient? Miso, as well as some Bragg's aminos or soy sauce. If you are trying to replace the umami richness of a meat like lamb or beef, these ingredients can help get you there. Or so I have heard; I don't think I've ever eaten lamb, and beef...well, it's been at least 25 years methinks! Feel free to go wild with the thyme and rosemary to amp up your flavor.

In a saucepan, cover lentils with an inch of water and bring to a boil.
Continue to boil, adding water as necessary, until lentils are tender.

In a separate pot, cover potatoes in several inches of water and bring to a
boil. Continue to gently boil until potatoes mash easily with a fork.

In a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 Tbsp Earth
Balance. Sauté the onion until beginning to soften. Add the carrots and celery
and sauté for several minutes longer until starting to soften. Add the garlic
and cook until fragrant, not more than a minute. Add the vegetable broth and
bring to a simmer.

Drain the lentils and set aside. Drain the potatoes and return to the
pot. Add 2 Tbsp Earth Balance and mash. Add almond milk gradually while
mashing until you reach desired consistency (we like the mashed potatoes
thick). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. To the skillet onion mixture, add the miso paste and the Bragg aminos or
soy sauce. Stir well to incorporate. Rinse any excess ice from the frozen corn
and peas, drain, and add to the skillet. Once thawed, crush the rosemary and thyme in
your hand and add to the skillet to release flavor while the frozen vegetables
continue to cook. Stir in the cooked lentils. Taste for salt and pepper. The
lentil mixture should be thick with a slight bit of liquid. If it’s completely
dried out, add a little water. If it’s soupy, let some of the liquid cook
off.

Lightly oil an 8x11 to 9x13 baking dish. Pour in the lentil mixture and
level the top. Add the mashed potatoes in dollops and gently spread with a
rubber spatula to cover the lentils. Top with vegan cheese if you like.

Bake in the center of the oven for 30 minutes. The dish can be fully
prepared in advance except for baking and refrigerated. Leftovers are excellent re-heated.